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March 5, 2010
Delivery after dark: Shortstaffing forces letter carriers to deliver at night • Stimulus act, one year later: Q&A with Oregon Congressman Peter DeFazio • Labor counts successes and setbacks in Oregon Legislature special session • Congressman Schrader says he supports NAFTA-style trade deal with South Korea • Piedmont Post Office dedicated in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. • NOLC backs incumbents; AFSCME 88 issues endorsements in County races; Carpenters go for Kitzhaber • Portland school teachers reach tentative contract •Marion Polk Yamhill Labor Council and Clark Skamania West Klickitat Labor Council install new officers
February 19, 2010
Oregon construction workers demand jobs legislation • Senate abuse of filibuster hobbles union-backed legislation • Union tracking jobs bills in Washington Legislature • Attorney general seeks labor's help cracking down on underground economy • Exterior/Interior specialists ratify new contract • Vote makes it final: Laurelhurst Village will be a union nursing home • Portland school teachers reach tentative contract • Bargaining opens between DCTU, City of Portland • CWA Local 7901's Linda Rasmussen hangs it up
February 5, 2010
Tax increases on wealthy and corporations win in landslide • A labor 'look back' over Obama's first year in office • Labor's message to lawmakers: Good Jobs, Now! • UFCW Local 555 ratifies Portland grocery pacts • Portland parking meter techs win fight against outsourcing • Soccer stadium deal comes with union neutrality and living wage commitments • Housing Authority to import windows for apartment weatherization project • Labor bills in the mix as lawmakers return to Salem • Honduran union leaders tells of labor's struggle against coup • Airport screeners in nationwide campaign to unionize • Attorney general tells Labor Law crowd he will fight to defend Worker Freedom Act • PGE proposes to change — or close — Boardman coal plant • Kitzhaber picks up more union endorsements • Driving in Oregon? Keep your hands off your phone • Electrical Workers Minority Caucus meets, and volunteers, in Portland • Laborers' Gary Moore re-elected to Portland Metal Trades Council post
January 15, 2010
Portland-area UFCW members dropped from Kaiser Permanente coverage • Opponents prefer to glide past facts of tax increase measures 66 and 67 • Umatilla demilitarization workers get $3.7 million back pay • After 18 months, Portland Public School teachers still without contract • More Steelworkers laid off at Cascade Steel • Merkley amendment to health reform bill levels construction playing field • Daimler gets $40 million to develop fuel-efficient trucks • Sheet Metal Training Center gets piece of $5 million ARRA grant
January 1, 2010
Ballot measures 66 and 67: Taxing the top tier • Year in review: 2009 in organized labor • Lying by numbers • U.S. Chamber of Commerce sues to halt Worker Freedom Act
December 18, 2009
Labor in the room at Copenhagen climate talks • Pressure mounts for further government action on jobs • Nurses unions merge • How to shop union this holiday season • Carhartt discontinues 'Made in USA' apparel program • Trade justice campaign continues • Oregon AFL-CIO makes earlly legislative endorsements • AFSCME's Pat Riggs-Henson seeks Lane County board seat • Jaimie Sorenson sworn in as new president of AFSCME Local 328 • Jim Cook elected president of NALC Branch 82 • Slow economy doesn't dampen union member giving • B.U.L.L. Session raises $311,000 for kids' charities
December 4, 2009
Congress closes in on health care reform • BrucePac faces NLRB charges in mass firing of pro-union workers • Laurelhurst nursing home now a union shop • Portland renews use of prison labor in parks • Bill and Cindy Sizemore indicted for tax evasion • 'Next Waver' Hanna installed as president of AFSCME Local 88 • After 40+ years, secretary says goodbye to Machinists Union
November 20, 2009
WTO, 10 years later • Umatilla chemical depot workers to get $3.6 million back pay • Labor reacts to Washington election results • Geek Squad union eleciton cancelled
November 6, 2009
Tensions escalate at Fred Meyer stores • Boeing rejects Machinists 'no strike' offer • Wages down in two new Carpenters contracts • Fire at SEIU Local 49 headquarters being investigated as arson • Teachers unions file lawsuit against Bill Sizemore and Loren Parks • Geek Squad workers in fight for right to join IBEW Local 48 • Murder tale brings Northwest labor history back to life • Pete Savage resigns from Regional Council of Carpenters • AFSCME Local 88 president won't seek re-election • LNG-motivated recall vote held in Clatsop County • Oregon AFL-CIO: Labor must target younger workers; state fed rates state lawmakers
October 16, 2009
Portland City Council gets earful from AFSCME • Boeing uses jobs to pressure government and union for concessions • Union members, cardiac resuscitation device, help save a life • Vancouver area labor council issues general election endorsements • IBEW 48 health trust may drop Fred Meyer as prescription drug manager • Dorothy Lyman clocks out after 31 years at Iron Workers Local 516 • Union volunteers help in campaign to quash Washington tax initiative
October 2, 2009
Daimler changes its mind: Portland Freightliner plant won't close for now • Business groups force vote on tax hike on corporations and the rich • New Portland ordinance will help construction unions get into residential 'green' jobs • Portland in line for 'Emerald City' green jobs pilot program • AFT's Lincoln pursues potential House vacancy • Multi-employer pension plans still not out of woods • Joblessness continues to rise • Plans scrapped for Oregon Convention Center hotel
September 18, 2009
Kitzhaber gets early labor backing • Youth movement: Labor ponders how to bring in the young • LERC professor Lafer will advise U.S. House labor panel • Commissioners in Clatsop County face recall effort for supporting LNG plant • Workers at Oregon University System reach agreement on two-year contract • Steelworkers Union organizes recycling firm • UNITE HERE Local 9 workers hit by Portland Hilton closures • SEIU's Crider leaves organized labor • Portland Labor Day picnic draws crowd of elected leaders • Group wants to revitalize construction partnership
September 4, 2009
Straight talk on the proposed health reform • Health care reform: Where do Oregon lawmakers stand? • Operating Engineers Local 701 and Carpenters form alliance • Oregon AFL-CIO's Shepard runs for open Metro board seat • Steelworker elected to lead Northwest Oregon Labor Council • Clark Skamania Klickitat CLC endorsed candidates advance to November election • Hundreds rally in Portland to support health insurance reform
August 21, 2009
Washington AFL-CIO delegates say 'no more business as usual' • Oregon construction unions worried about outlook for work • Management raises at Multnomah County irk AFSCME Local 88 • Members of Laborers 320 ratify first deal with Oregon Child Development Coalition
August 7, 2009
Fred Meyer goes green? • Stimulus dollars trickle slowly to local union workforce, if at all • Employee Free Choice Act still on track, but delayed • Washington AFL-CIO proposes to overhaul its approach to politics • Washington State Labor Council ranks state lawmakers • Nursing home pays cash settlement to fired pro-union receptionist • Steelworkers Local 8378 protests as Cascade Steel cancels recall • Hazardous work motivates IBEW commitment to Burn Center • Public employees' shared sacrifice leads to tentative deal at State of Oregon • AFSCME 328 reaches new contract at OHSU • City of Portland unions demand to bargain over layoffs, reorganizing at BDS • Labor Council in Vancouver makes picks for August primary election • Tackett nominated to take helm at labor council • Longtime Bakers Local 14 rep Gene Beaudoin to retire; Shad Clark hired
July 17, 2009
New streetcars union-made in America • Proposal to put Fred Meyer on Unfair List is tabled • WSLC convention expected to rethink relationship to Democrats • AFT trustees Kaiser nurses Local 5017 • OPEIU Local 11 members at NW Natural ratify pact • Working Families Party helps pass bill to start 'fusion voting' • For some union-backed bills in the Oregon Legislature – better luck next time • Governor signs Oregon AFL-CIO's top-priority bill • Former Oregonian runs for number-two national AFL-CIO office • IBEW 280 votes Frew business manager
July 3, 2009
Labor's agenda made progress as Oregon Legislature adjourns • Union foes file initiative petition to ban card check • Former ATU 757 head Ron Heintzman to take number two post in international • 'Keep Portland Wired' billboards promote IBEW 48 • O'Connor to retire from Northwest Oregon Labor Council • Siemens closes; 43 IBEW jobs lost • NOLC the latest union group to back single payer • Optimistic Oregon AFL-CIO looks ahead • Sheet Metal 16 re-elects Phillips business manager
June 19, 2009
Congress close to passing Employee Free Choice Act • Bill bans mandatory anti-union meetings • CWA launches organizing drive at Oregonian mailroom • Public employees march • Labor board agrees nursing home fired Lehr for union activity • Portland City Council pledges to Buy American • Oregon 'card-check' law hasn't led to increase in unionizing • Poker Run raises cash for kids • Jon Hunt wins second term at ATU Local 757 • At IBEW 280, Tim Nicol loses re-election bid; Caster, Frew in runoff • Rives elected president of AFT-Oregon
June 5, 2009
What ever happened to retirement? • Unions say Wyden's health care bill is "sick" • Labor at the table in cap and trade debate • SEIU's Dale takes job in Geneva; Local 49 names Niemi president • OPEIU Local 11 members at NW Natural reject contract • Transit Union says CherryLift strike appears imminent • Vancouver city employees forego cost-of-living raises for two years • Worker Freedom Act gets new life in Oregon Legislature • Oregon unionists come up short in public elections • AFSCME criticizes Portland Police Department cuts • Mayor reappoints Building Trades leader to PDC • Cecil Tibbetts returns to AFSCME — in Washington
May 15, 2009
Nursing home worker fired after joining union campaign • Legislature rattles Washington labor movement • "Buy American" campaign scores legal successes • Oregon AFL-CIO's top bill, the Worker Freedom Act, gets shelved in committee • Champions of single payer health care meet in Portland • Union members running for seats in May 19 special election
May 1, 2009
Campaign at DePaul shows how hard it is to unionize under current U.S. labor law • Fred Meyer remodels stores nonunion, stymies UFCW in The Dalles • Rep. Wu doubtful Congress will reform health care system with single-payer plan • Nurse associations from Oregon and Washington help launch new union
April 17, 2009
Millions of workers exposed to 'dirty diesel' • SolarWorld gets tax breaks while dumping union workforce • Retired Painter named 'Firefighter of the Year' • NECA-IBEW, other businesses acknowledged at Oregon safety forum • Governor to dedicate new Fallen Workers Memorial
April 3, 2009
Schism widens between labor and Washington Democrats • Asbestos-related cancer claims labor icon Earl Kirkland • Labor on the scene as Oregon Legislature reaches halfway mark • More Steelworkers laid off at Cascade Rolling Mills • Carpenters Local 247 elects Willie Gore president • Merkley appoints Ed Hall labor liaison • Stacy Breunig tapped administrator of IAM/Boeing Joint Programs • Labor protests corporate excess
March 20, 2009
Portland construction crew 'tip' turns into cash for kids • Washington's top Democrats kill priority labor bill • Teamsters strike ends at Oak Harbor Freight, but dispute continues • Judge bans Bill Sizemore from involvement with charities • Multnomah County AFSCME unit approves wage freeze • University of Portland business students volunteer to work for union • Oregon retirees alliance elects new officers
March 6, 2009
USW cheers Buy American clause in stimulus package • Weak economy hits Oregon state budget hard • Washington governor reneges on union contract, prompting lawsuit • AFSCME 88 offers wage freeze to prevent Multnomah County layoffs • What's killing U.S. manufacturing? Hint: It's not what you've been hearing • Q&A with Jeff Merkley • T-Mobile puts chill on union organizing campaign • Economist tells Bricklayers Union growing labor movement will boost economy • UA 290 health fair offers medical screenings to members • Ground broken on Fallen Workers Memorial in Salem • TriMet's new WES train is a union operation
February 20, 2009
Congress passes stimulus package • Elections Division opens investigation on Sizemore • SEIU offers wage freeze to ease state budget crisis • Teamsters at Oak Harbor Freight offer to return to work • Business-labor group to hold lobby day in Salem for liquefied natural gas • God may or may not take sides in labor disputes, but 'Father Bob' does • Al Panek retires; Wyden names Smith Warner new labor liaison
February 6, 2009
Ironworkers help IBEW 48 go green • Recession deepens, but help is on the way, elected leaders say • Labor has full plate before Washington Legislature • Campaign at Oregon bakery shows need for Employee Free Choice Act • U.S. union ranks grow despite tough economy • Dennis steps down as president of Carpenters local, regional council • Labor says replace I-5 bridge now • Labor councils elect leadership
January 16, 2009
Union jobs cut at Daimler • Boeing to lay off 4,500 workers • Vancouver Fire Fighters give up wage hikes to help cash-strapped city coffers • Government solar projects skirt prevailing wage laws • SEIU demands 'McJustice' • Endicott re-elected business manager of UA Local 290
January 2, 2009
Labor maps out goals for 2009 Legislature • Workers’ Compensation Division adopts final rule for medical fees
December 19, 2008
An Oak Harbor Christmas • GOP slams labor, derails auto rescue package • Bill Sizemore released from jail — but not from legal woes • Third group of child care workers joins Laborers Local 320
December 5, 2008
Buy union this holiday season – and keep it local • Bill Sizemore jailed on contempt of court charges • State hospital job off to a bad start • Organizing drive at Oregon Steel Mills falls short • Oregon AFL-CIO prioritizes '09 state legislative agenda • Cash needed to complete Workers Memorial in Salem • Clay takes helm at UFCW Local 555 • After 32-year career, Pronovost retires from UFCW Local 555 • Bakers Local 114 re-elects Lansing, Beaudoin, Clark
November 21, 2008
Unions say stimulus package needs cash for infrastructure • Labor trounces Bill Sizemore proposals … again • Union members made a difference Nov. 4 • Labor's Election Day scorecard • DHL closure impacts Oregon Teamsters; layoffs hurt other unions
November 7, 2008
Labor celebrates election night victories • Daimler says 'bye, bye' to making trucks in Portland • Solidarity leads to new Machinists contract at Boeing • Steelworkers win extension in card-check campaign at Oregon Steel • Oregon's largest private-sector union elects new leaders • Second group of child care workers joins Laborers 320 • Portland passes first 'sweatshop free' ordinance in the Pacific Northwest • Last 100 years mostly 'up' for Elevator Constructors • New Apollo program calls for massive investment in green jobs • UNITE HERE seeks City's help dealing with Vancouver Hilton • Carpenters Food Bank logs 25 years helping others • Workers' comp division files proposed rules on medical fees to care providers
October 17, 2008
Carrying the Vote: Union workers handle, count ballots • When Wall Street stumbles, others pick up the tab • Labor opposes 'top two' primary • Steelworkers mount union campaign at Oregon Steel • Union-sponsored Oregon Working Families Party runs candidate on ballot
October 3, 2008
Turbulence continues between IAM, Boeing • PDC staffers ratify first union contract • Health insurance preiums rise • America the Unequal: EPI finds a nation polarizing economically • PDC elects John Mohlis secretary
September 19, 2008
Job security key in strike by Boeing Machinists • Who's best for workers: Merkley or Smith? • Labor group steps up campaign to counter anti-union TV ads
September 5, 2008
Union electrician speaks out about unsafe work in Iraq • Why labor is getting behind Barack Obama • Oregon Building Trades Council stays out of U.S. Senate race • In Washington state, labor-backed candidates make cut in 'Top 2' primary • Labor activists foil plans for a Portland stop on national anti-union bus tour • Curtain falls on AFL-CIO Union Industries Show • Permanent Workers' Memorial to be built at Salem Capitol Mall • Fire Fighters union joins forces to help returning war veterans find jobs
August 15, 2008
Anti-union ads target Congressional candidates • State of the unions • Rules change in workers' comp medical fees could harm injured workers • Oregon unions oppose slew of ballot measures • Washington AFL-CIO convention focuses on politics • Boeing Machinists take a strike vote, contract expires Sept. 3 • New contract at Cascade General; new officers at Metal Trades Council
August 1, 2008
Caregivers of migrant children join Laborers Local 320 • Sizemore operation faces new forgery allegations • AFL-CIO engaged in Washington's top-two primary • WSLC to convene in Vancouver • Labor at table in U.S. plans to slow global warming • Charles Lewis gets labor council endorsement in Portland city council election • AFSCME Local 88 endorses Shiprack for Multnomah County Commission • SEIU Local 49 finalizes contract covering 1,900 Portland janitors • Portland area grocery pacts expire, UFCW braces for war • Group presses Oregon to enact 'sweat-free' policy • 'Unity Team' goal is to aid in organizing
July 18, 2008
Vancouver cop reinstated after two years off the job • Oregon Supreme Court upholds unions' case against Sizemore • Labor helps resuscitate debate on health care reform • Government agencies okay bridge plan, but conditions are attached • PDC elects John Mohlis secretary
July 4, 2008
Think it's easy to form a union? Think again • Students replace full-time Portland school custodians • Workers at Vancouver Hilton Hotel get first contract with UNITE HERE Local 9 • Legal settlement returns union organizer to bakery